The RVV-MD2 fifth-generation short-range missile, developed for the Su-57 Felon stealth fighter, can hit targets at all angles and is about to enter serial production.
According to several Russian press outlets, which refer to an interview given by the State Design Bureau of Vympel (Russia’s historic developer of advanced ammunition) to Arsenal of the Fatherland magazine, the RVV-MD2 fifth-generation dog-fight missile possesses novel and advanced features, which position it far ahead of its Western competitors.
“It can be stated that in Russia the development of fifth-generation air-to-air missiles, which have reached the industrial stage of production, is five to ten years ahead of similar developments in the United States,” the publication said.
According to information disclosed to the local press, the RVV-MD2 missile reached the industrial production stage and its adoption into active service has already begun.
What is known about RVV-MD2?
New guidance systems
According to Viktor Ivanovich Murakhovsky, director of Arsenal of the Fatherland, the RVV-MD2 is the first among the “within visual range” (WVR) missiles to use an inertial guidance system (INS) designed to control the weapon and stabilize it in autonomous flight. This system allows the missile to determine its coordinates in space, without the need for external data inputs.
In addition, the RVV-MD2 has a secure data link that allows it to obtain in-flight updates of target coordinates provided by the launching aircraft’s sensors, increasing the kill probability.
For the final phase of interception, this short-range missile has a new-generation dual-band passive infrared seeker that allows it to “see” the target, while increasing its resistance to defensive countermeasures deployed by the target.
Rearward firing
A significant advantage of the new Russian missile is that it can hit targets at all angles, including the rear hemisphere. The RVV-MD2 is launched forward from the Su-57’s internal weapons bays, turns in the air and strikes the enemy behind the launcher aircraft (other air-to-air missiles such as the German IRIS-T, the British ASRAAM or the Israeli Python 5 also possess this “over-the-shoulder firing” capability). The modernized and newly built Tu-160 “White Swan” strategic bombers have a radar covering the rear hemisphere, so it is very likely that they will integrate the RVV-MD2 as a defensive asset.
Characteristics
Finally, the director of Arsenal of the Fatherland provided information on some of the physical characteristics of the new missile. The RVV-MD2 has a cylindrical body with a total length of 2.92 meters and a diameter of 0.17 meters. Its launch weight is approximately 106 kilograms, while the warhead contains eight kilograms of explosives. The RVV-MD2 would be capable of destroying targets flying at a speed of 2,500 kilometers per hour at an altitude of between 20 and 20,000 meters.
While there are no official images of the new missile yet, it is likely to be similar to the RVV-MD (cover image) that has been under development since 2007 and was first presented to the public at the MAKS-2009 Air Show.
